MATCH PREVIEW: (Round 9) STEEL v PULSE

TEAM NEWS:

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel got a big tick for urgency from their captain Wendy Frew in their last outing but fell short with their decision making. Rectifying that is a must if the defending champions are to challenge the red-hot Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse – the last time they met there was a massive 31 goals separating the two teams. Frew said it would be important the Steel learned the lessons from their one-goal defeat to the Silvermoon Tactix last week.

“There was a lot of urgency out there from the girls which was good,” she said.

“At times we’ve looked flat but I think we brought a lot of energy and a lot of spark this time. I just think we need to do our jobs better out there.”

In contrast, the Pulse continues to march on and have a three-point buffer at the top of the points table. Captain Katrina Grant was pleased with their 16 goal win over the Northern Stars last week despite the small blemish of losing the third quarter – just their fourth quarter they’ve dropped this season.

“It’s pleasing to see that if we go down we know that we can fight and still win games by that score line,” she said.

WHO TO WATCH:

Gina Crampton (Steel) – is streets ahead of anyone when it comes to centre pass receives and is a crucial cog in the smooth running of Steel’s front line. Was guilty of a few too many turnovers last time these two teams met.

Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Steel) versus Katrina Grant (Pulse) – a key match-up in this game. Selby-Rickit had a high work-rate outside of the circle last week but netted just 63% of her attempts at goal, while Grant has consistently been one of the best this season.

Aliyah Dunn (Pulse) – put up 54 attempts at goal when these teams clashed in Round 4, missing just four of them. Must be on the Silver Ferns’ radar after an impressive year in yellow.